Leopard

Panthera pardus

Leopards are the most adaptable cat

Biology: Leopards are a solitary species that live in a wide variety of habitats including deserts, savannahs, mountainous regions and rainforests. They preferably feed on medium sized herbivores but also hunt smaller antelope, birds and reptiles. Leopards hoist their kills into trees or conceal them in bushes when there is a risk of them being stolen by other predators.

Red list category: Vulnerable

Threats: The main threats affecting leopards are prey and habitat reduction, largely due to bushmeat trade and the expansion of human settlements and agriculture. This has created reduced and disconnected natural habitat, which leopards have a limited ability to survive and breed successfully in. Other threats include humans persecuting leopards in response to livestock predation and illegal hunting for skins.